The Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ekiti kingdom in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Moses Akinwande Ogundana, has installed Princess Francisca Anike Owosela as the Erelu Okinlua of Ikoyi-Ekiti at the Onikoyi’s palace.
Also installed were Folagboye Olayinka as the Atayese of Ikoyi-Ekiti and Omolayo Fajana as the Olori-Awo of Ikoyi.
The traditional ruler said that the installation was in recognition of their contributions to the growth and development of Ikoyi community.
The monarch further said that the reasons the kingdom was giving out various chieftaincy titles to non-indigenes was to enhance peace and harmony among the people, to foster unity and also to bring more development to the community.
Oba Ogundana used the occasion to thank the Erelu Okinlua of Ikoyi for what she has been doing, particularly how she was able to revive him back to life shortly after his daughter’s wedding in the United States of America in April this year.
The monarch explained how he became unconscious and was about to call 911 for rescue but the Erelu told him not to and she used her expertise as a medical doctor to treat him.
The royal father also thanked the Ekiti State governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji for the ongoing construction of Isaba-Ikoyi Ile-Igbemo road, just as he said that if the road is completed it will further boost the socioeconomic growth of the state.
While commending members of the community’s traditional army otherwise known as Egbegun, who have just completed their nine-year mandatory Traditional Military service, Oba Ogundana said he was grateful for their commitment and dedication to the progress of the community.
He added that the unity and solidarity displayed had yielded good results in the kingdom through various development projects in the course of their community service.
“Despite the fact that you have passed out, I encourage you to continue working together, supporting one another, particularly those who are coming after you so as to make the community retain its position among fellow communities.
Earlier, the Odofin Ikoyi-Ekiti, who is the second in command to the Onikoyi, High Chief Olufemi Ogunsakin, charged indigenes of the community, home and in the diaspora to always come home and contribute to the growth of their fatherland.
Ogunsakin further said that there is no other place they can call home other than Ikoyi community.
He also charged the newly installed Erelu-Okinlua of Ikoyi-Ekiti to continue contributing and facilitating things that will bring development to the community.
In her appreciation to Oba Ogundana, the Onikoyi-in-Council and the people of Ikoyi-Ekiti, Chief (Mrs) Owosela expressed gratitude for the love shown to her which portrayed her as a daughter of the soil.
Owosela, a USA-based medical doctor, who hailed from Akure in Ondo State, pledged her commitment to serving humanity, as well as contributing her quota to the development of Ikoyi-Ekiti.
The event was attended by crème de la crème of the society, including traditional rulers across Ikole Local Government Area.
Among them were the Onise of Odo-Oro-Ekiti, Oba Babatunde Jemilehin; the Alamo of Ilamo-Ekiti, Oba Adebayo Awoseyila; the Oloojebu of Oke-Ijebu, Oba Ezekiel Awe; the Alaaye of Oke-Ayedun-Ekiti, Oba Olufemi Aribisala; Regent Owa of Ayebode-Ekiti, Oba Mosunmola Famoroti, among others.
In a related development, some people have been inducted into the leadership of the community, the Onikoyi-in-Council by Oba Ogundana.
The people are Messrs Tope Famoroti, Idowu Fatusin, Segun Ogundana, Omoleye Aribaloye, Samuel Romiluyi, Bayo Ogundana, Akin Odupaye, Busuyi Daramola, Banji Fajana, Femi Olaleye and Chief Femi Daramola.
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